Twenty years ago, two RISD ID graduates, Stephen Lane BID ‘85 (above) and Aidan Petrie MID ‘85 launched Item, a full-service, product development enterprise offering expertise in research and strategic planning, industrial design, mechanical, electrical and manufacturing engineering. Their work in developing medical devices has evolved into the new Item Group company Ximedica, specializing in the design, development and supply of innovative new medical devices. Ximedica works with companies to commercialize new technologies, to improve human factors for both providers and patients, and to innovate new solutions that allow for improved health care and better economics. Featured recently in this Providence City News interview, Steve shares some of Item’s business philosophy: how he and Aidan work to create a stable, growing business that challenges and engages his ever growing staff of designers, why they developed GreenCard, a methodology for assessing products and concepts to minimize effects on our environment, why the knowledge economy is flourishing in Providence, and how Item has found ways to successfully navigate - and thrive - in these difficult economic times.